MK4 with sideoiler 427 and toploader

[Thomas Smith]

Hi. New to the forum. My brother in law and I are planning to build a MK4 next winter. I have an FE427 side oiler and toploader. We want to use this combination for the vintage reasons. Is this common with the MK4? Would like to hear from people that have done this. Thanks.

[Garry Bopp]

I recently drove a 289 FIA with a period correct 289 with toploader. Unfortunately, it had 3.73 rear gears so 55 mph was over 3,000 rpm. I know it was "period correct" but would not be much fun as a "cruiser." It kind of depends on how "vintage" you want to be and what you intend to use the car for. Will it be a race-car or a mix of track/street time? Or will it be strictly a show car? Personally, I would recommend a TKO-600 behind the FE. Having the 5th gear makes the car so much more enjoyable in town or on the highway, track time as well. I run a TKO-600 behind my 482" side-oiler in my Unique roadster.

Garry

[Thomas Smith]

That is good to know. Mainly I have these parts and like the car for what they were.

[2FAST4U]

Perfect combination. Just add pin drive wheels, Goodyear billboards, and Smith gauges. You'll have the perfect car!!

[mikiec]

Great combination. Go for it.

[WIS89]

Thomas-

I actually think your combination would be a really bad idea; sorry. However, I would be happy to take this combination off your hands as a favor to you. I have $75.00 CASH MONEY that should cover you for the short sighted decision you have made. Then you can use a more appropriate engine, and the outrageous amount of cash that I will give you to help offset some of the costs. Really my offer is just being selfless, and allowing you to fix your mistake and recover some money. It's really about you-- no really, it is!

NO WAY, you have an awesome combination, and it is going to be a solid combination to get your machine rocketing down the road. Congratulations on getting off to a fine start, and be sure to keep us updated on how your build progresses. I am jealous of your engine combination, just for the record! ;-o)

Sorry for my poor attempt at humor, but I REALLY hope you took it as humor, as it was how it was intended! Best of luck!!

Regards,

Steve

[CraigS]

While I agree w/ Garry, I think you could make the 4 speed more acceptable by running a 308 or even 273 rear gear. Do you know what the first gear ratio is? That would help determine how tall you could go on the diff. People's expectations have definitely changed since the 60s-70s. Back then I didn't think it unusual at all to be running 3500 rpm at 70 and had several cars geared that way stock. Now we all expect 2300 or so at 70.

[tirod]

I ran a toploader in my '66 Mustang with 3.08 gears, it got me to work just fine. With a "real" 427 sideoiler, the combination would be appreciated for it's vintage authenticity, and not having fifth gear hardly noticed. The huge overabundance of torque would allow you to pull away in second or even third according to owners reports.

Since the combination would likely result in a car with under 8 pounds per hp, I wouldn't sweat the minor incremental differences that one choice offers over another. It's mostly social posturing for status, "427 sideoiler with toploader" is a pretty good trump card in Cobra circles.

Pin drive is something else. Basically, it's an expensive option that only delivers looks. There is no performance benefit. Adding the pin drive adapters to lug stud hubs means adding 4 pounds of dead weight, and you still have to check the torque on the adapters periodically. The offset is you have to specify shorter A-arms and narrow the axles to fit the rims because they stick out further. You could go to true pin drive hubs to avoid the work arounds, they cost about $4000, and the rims can't be had for less than $450 apiece either way. However, bolt on rims are about the same price when the limited number of tires in 15" sizes is thrown in. We are currently suffering from the marketing of 17", and it's about the only feasible way to get modern rubber. Otherwise, it's Coker retro rubber, meaning track tires or BFG TA's in 15".

You got the sideoiler, use it. Sweat the rims, they are currently the bigger issue. But - if retro looks are the plan, it's about smaller tires anyway, and they sell lug nut covers for the spinners. After all, regardless of tire size, you are going to break them loose easily.